Top 10 Immersive Tech Startups to Watch This Year
Immersive technology—encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR)—is no longer just a playground for gamers and futurists. It’s fast becoming a core driver of innovation across sectors, from healthcare and education to entertainment and enterprise solutions. As we venture deeper into a digitally layered world, startups are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, offering solutions that are transforming the way we work, learn, and connect.
Here are 10 immersive tech startups that are reshaping the immersive landscape in 2025 and are worth keeping a close eye on.
1. Emperia (UK) – Luxury Retail in Virtual Worlds
Emperia blends art, commerce, and immersive experiences by building high-end virtual stores for luxury fashion brands. With clients like Dior, Lacoste, and Bloomingdale’s already onboard, Emperia provides custom-designed, interactive 3D environments that allow consumers to explore digital storefronts as if they were physically present. In 2025, Emperia is expanding into AI-powered personalization, creating dynamic virtual environments tailored to each customer.
Why Watch: Emperia is redefining e-commerce, making the online shopping experience feel personal, interactive, and luxurious.
2. Hololight (Germany) – Industrial-Grade XR for Engineers
Hololight is tackling the complexity of industrial design with XR tools that empower engineers to visualize, test, and collaborate on 3D models in real-time. Their platform, Hololight Space, allows massive CAD models to be streamed and manipulated in VR/AR without local rendering, saving time and hardware costs. Their latest development is a cloud-native XR streaming platform set to integrate with IoT ecosystems.
Why Watch: Hololight is bridging the gap between immersive tech and Industry 4.0 with enterprise-grade XR solutions.
3. RLTY (France) – Building the Future of Events in the Metaverse
RLTY provides tools for brands, artists, and event organizers to host immersive events in the metaverse. Whether it’s a music festival, art exhibition, or fashion show, RLTY creates digital venues with social interaction, gamified engagement, and NFT integration. Their no-code builder empowers creators with little technical expertise to launch custom virtual worlds.
Why Watch: With the convergence of events, gaming, and social media, RLTY is poised to own the metaverse event space.
4. Beeyonder (USA) – Virtual Travel for Everyone
Beeyonder offers a new way to explore the world—from the comfort of your home. Designed for those with mobility limitations or travel restrictions, Beeyonder connects users with expert guides for real-time virtual tours using Zoom-like interfaces enriched with AR elements. From the Louvre to Machu Picchu, the platform is expanding access to global experiences.
Why Watch: Beeyonder is democratizing travel and making global exploration inclusive through immersive technology.
5. VRAI (Ireland) – Data-Driven VR Training for High-Risk Jobs
VRAI combines immersive VR training with data analytics to improve performance in high-risk industries. Its platform, HEAT (Hazardous Environment Awareness Training), uses biometric and behavioral data to assess how individuals perform under pressure. This helps employers reduce risk, improve readiness, and cut training costs.
Why Watch: VRAI is pioneering ‘measurable immersion’—using data to make immersive training not just engaging but accountable.
6. Magnopus (USA) – Mixed Reality Storytelling on a Global Scale
Though not a newcomer, Magnopus is making major strides in immersive storytelling this year. Known for creating experiences like the Coco VR for Pixar and the Emmy-winning Mission: ISS for Oculus, Magnopus now focuses on building multi-user spatial experiences that seamlessly blend physical and digital worlds. Their platform is being used for everything from museums to smart cities.
Why Watch: Magnopus is one of the few startups blending Hollywood storytelling and spatial tech at a global scale.
7. Kanda (Japan) – Holographic AR for Smart Cities
Kanda is transforming how cities communicate with citizens. Through AR glasses and holographic kiosks, Kanda displays real-time transportation updates, emergency alerts, and local information in 3D visual layers across urban environments. In 2025, they’re piloting a smart navigation system for Tokyo’s upcoming urban mobility network.
Why Watch: Kanda is pioneering practical AR at city scale—blending immersive tech with public utility.
8. Dreamscape Learn (USA) – VR-Powered Education
Dreamscape Learn is bringing VR to classrooms with science curricula designed to engage students in fully immersive environments. Instead of learning about biology from a textbook, students can explore the human cell as if they’re microscopic explorers. Backed by Arizona State University, their pedagogical approach combines narrative and interaction with academic rigor.
Why Watch: Dreamscape Learn could set the standard for immersive education by combining storytelling with STEM.
9. OVR Technology (USA) – Digital Smell for Deeper Immersion
One of the most underexplored dimensions of immersion is scent, and OVR Technology is leading that charge. Their flagship product, the ION device, adds smell to VR experiences, enabling everything from aromatherapy simulations to military training. As multisensory experiences become more mainstream, OVR’s tech could redefine immersion.
Why Watch: Smell is the next frontier in XR—and OVR is giving virtual worlds a scent of realism.
10. Talespin (USA) – Soft Skills Training in the Metaverse
Talespin develops immersive VR scenarios that train professionals in soft skills like leadership, conflict resolution, and bias mitigation. Their virtual humans respond to users in real-time, providing a realistic and emotionally intelligent learning environment. With growing investment in reskilling and emotional intelligence, Talespin is becoming a critical tool in HR and L&D.
Why Watch: Talespin isn’t just training for jobs—it’s training for human connection in the workplace.
What’s Driving the Boom in Immersive Startups?
Several trends are converging to fuel the rise of these startups:
- Consumer demand for richer, more interactive digital experiences
- Enterprise interest in XR for training, collaboration, and operations
- 5G and edge computing reducing latency and enabling real-time streaming
- AI integration allowing for smarter, adaptive immersive environments
- Post-pandemic digital acceleration increasing the value of remote presence
From startups adding scent to VR to companies reimagining classrooms, the immersive tech world in 2025 is all about breaking the boundaries between physical and digital.
Final Thoughts
Immersive tech isn’t just about flashy visuals—it’s about creating presence, empathy, and interaction in ways that were never possible before. The startups featured above are more than just tech innovators; they are re-architecting how we work, learn, play, and experience reality.
As the lines between the virtual and physical continue to blur, these startups are not just participating in the immersive revolution—they’re leading it. Whether you’re an investor, technologist, educator, or curious explorer, these 10 companies should be on your radar this year.
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